Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

The complainant has requested details of successful planning applications in an area of natural beauty. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (the council) said that it does not hold the information in the format requested, and directed the complainant to remake his request to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. It applied Regulation 6(1)(a) and (b) to refuse the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was not correct to refuse the request on the basis that section 6(1)(a) and (b) applies. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Disclose the information to the complainant in the form and format requested.